Founded in 2018, South Shore Joint Initiative is a registered charity based in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada. We are governed by a Board of Directors elected from our membership. Learn about our volunteer board members below.

Cheryl Anderson arrived in Prince Edward County in 2003 after retiring from a career in biochemistry research at the University of Guelph.  In Guelph, Cheryl served in several positions of the executive of the Guelph Field Naturalists; and, as a member of the Guelph Round Table on the Environment and Economy, she chaired a Community Involvement Program to write a Green Plan for the City of Guelph. In Prince Edward County Cheryl has served on the executive board of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists and of the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory and currently is a board member of the South Shore Joint Initiative.  Her interest in the natural world has led to advocacy for the Prince Edward County South Shore Important Bird and Biodiversity Area.

As we fought to keep industrial wind turbines out of the pathway of millions of migrating birds, bats and butterflies, the necessity to preserve the special place that is the South Shore became urgent. A network of passionate environmentalists, from many organizations was formed to support and protect the biodiversity of the South Shore. SSJI gives me the opportunity to work with experienced and talented people to achieve our common goal.

Amy Bodman is on the Executive of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists and the PEC Trails Committee and is a member of the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory. She is also a writer, a filmmaker and a nature enthusiast. She lives in Wellington.

I have been on the SSJI Board since the organization began. I have greatly enjoyed working with an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team of people who like to get out in nature and do things. I have learned a lot about both the natural and cultural heritage of the South Shore and its varied history and am constantly amazed by this special place. I am immensely proud of what SSJI has accomplished so far, particularly with getting Ontario’s first Conservation Reserve declared in over 15 years.

I look forward to the next steps involving the formation and implementation of a management plan.

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Geoff Craig

Geoff’s involvement with the County stretches back 40 years to visiting and camping at Sandbanks in younger days with friends and family. In 2004, he bought a site on Smith’s Bay for his retirement home, and built there in 2017. Now recently retired and looking to expand his activities, the enjoyment of exploring all that the County has to offer over the years, has fueled his interest in both understanding and preserving the biodiversity of the South Shore. He recognizes that full community support will be required for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave a generational benefit for migratory birds, species at risk, natural core areas, and County residents. He is excited and dedicated to working to make a "point to point" South Shore Eco Footpath come to life.

In his past life he was a marketing and NFP executive, including working on the Dove Real Beauty campaign, and Chief Marketing and Development Officer at Heart and Stroke.

The permanent protection of our South Shore is a legacy gift that requires talented and committed volunteers. It is very rewarding to be involved with like minded people for this great cause!

Working on the strategic priority of a point-to-point footpath will be something that hopefully my grandchildren will enjoy.

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John Foster

I started out liking trees, then birds and wildflowers and more. I have gained a connection to and appreciation for the natural environment. I put aside time to do photography, sketch, paint and read about what I naturally encounter. It's important for me to advocate for and support environmental causes. I like to volunteer for these. As a part of SSJI, I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of fellow members, experienced the enthusiasm that is our group, and made several new friends. It's important, to speak for and to work for the conservation of the South Shore now and into the future.

I have been with SSJI since its inception. I joined the SSJI Board to advocate for native plants and their habitats that are Prince Edward County's South Shore. I have been afforded the opportunity to meet and work with fellow members, experienced the enthusiasm of our group, and made several new friends. Then, as a Director and Newsletter Editor for SSJI, I get to speak for and work for the conservation of the South Shore, now and into future. That is an important cause to volunteer for.

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Gurpreet Patheja, JD, Vice-President

Gurpreet is a seasoned entrepreneur and lawyer with over a decade of experience in navigating the complex legal landscape of property law and contract negotiations so as to best advocate for her clients. In addition to her professional work, Gurpreet is passionate about giving back to the community, a virtue instilled in her by her grandparents. As a student completing her Juris Doctor degree at Osgoode Hall Law School , Gurpreet worked at the Community and Legal Aid Services Program providing free legal services to low-income residents of Toronto and York University Students, putting into practice her passion to give back to the community.

With a deep passion for nature and environmental conservation, Gurpreet actively engages in initiatives that promote the protection of our planet. Gurpreet enjoys gardening and finds tremendous joy in exploring the natural beauty of Ontario, and in her free time enjoys bicycling with her partner, walking her dog and kayaking on Lake Ontario in Prince Edward County.

Gurpreet considers herself lucky to be a part of the Prince Edward County community and recognizes the importance of protecting the South Shore so that generations to come may enjoy its natural beauty.

In addition to her legal work , Gurpreet loves to travel and discover new landscapes and different ways in which passionate people globally are working to protect the environment. As a member of the Board of Directors for the South Shore Joint Initiative , Gurpreet looks forward to leveraging her expertise and passion to further the organizations mission of environmental stewardship and community engagement.

I joined the Board of Directors for the South Shore Joint Initiative (SSJI) because the South Shore of Prince Edward County is special to me. It’s one of the last undeveloped shorelines of Lake Ontario, home to unique wildlife and the migratory paths of birds and butterflies. This space represents a delicate balance of nature and community that I am passionate about protecting.

The value of sewa—selfless service—instilled by my grandparents, drives me to contribute my time and expertise to ensure future generations can experience the same sense of wonder, peace, and connection that I have found here.

Working with SSJI allows me to help safeguard this land through education, collaboration, and action. Together, we can protect these vital spaces and keep the magic of nature alive for generations to come.

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I joined the SSJI Board in April 2023 to help out by replacing the outgoing treasurer, and also, to meet new people. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting and working together with this group of passionate South shore enthusiasts. It has been great to join in and contribute to a worthwhile cause - promoting the conservation and awareness of Prince Edward County’s South Shore. Whether it be making event signs, getting creative with birdhouses to raise funds, or helping out on the footpath, there is something for everyone, while supporting an important and worthwhile cause!

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Steven Burr

Steven retired to Prince Edward County in 2013 after serving 34 years in the Communications and Electronics Branch of the Canadian Forces. He has deep family roots in the County going back six generations. Steven holds a business diploma from Saint Lawrence College, and an Honours BA from the University of Ottawa/St Paul, and is currently working on his MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. His interest in the night sky goes back to his childhood, but it was only after he retired was he able to explore this passion. Steven has been a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada for over 10 years and has been on Belleville Centre’s executive since 2018. Steven is a staunch proponent for the creation of a Dark Sky Preserve along the South Shore of the County.

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Matthew Christie

I grew up in Prince Edward County just outside Cherry Valley. I attended Athol elementary school followed by Moira secondary school. From a young age I would volunteer out at the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory where I extracted birds from the nets. I have always had a passion for the natural world. After high school I took a year off to work and travel. I started with spending January volunteering on a game reserve in Botswana where I was part of a team clearing old cattle fencing, constructing watering holes and conducting surveys of the wildlife. I then spent February and part of March backpacking around Europe, visiting some extended family and exploring. I then worked the rest of the summer and prepared for attending Trent University in the fall. I earned a Bachelor of Science in biology over the next four years.

Post university I took a job in the solar industry as the money was better than other options in the Quinte region at the time. I worked there for two years, until the changing government cancelled some of the programs that stimulated the solar industry. I then found a job in green roofing, where we would grow mats of sedhum to install on rooftops for aesthetic and environmental purposes. I could apply some of my degree there and I enjoyed the work, however it was seasonal so I kept looking for a job that would use my skillset and be rewarding. I then found a job at a local brewery that was very enjoyable and rewarding but still seasonal, I worked there for two years before I was contacted by my former employer from the green roofing company inviting me to apply at a medical cannabis company that was expanding in preparation for legalization. That was a great job where I could apply my degree, solve problems, and have year-round employment. Sadly, legalization did not lead to the boom that the company was expecting and I was laid off during a downsizing. I then took a couple months to reorient and decide if I wanted to keep living in Prince Edward County or look for opportunities elsewhere. I then applied at the Wellington Mushroom Farm to be a harvest supervisor, they saw my history in the cannabis industry and offered me a job as a grower, in charge of the environmental controls for the grow rooms where the mushrooms are harvested. I excelled in this role, and I was offered another role as the compost manager, overseeing the production of large quantities of compost that the mushrooms would be grown in.

After a couple of years of managing the compost production, I was invited by my father to apply at Edward Jones to be a financial advisor. It was an amazing opportunity so I applied, and after completing the required securities courses I became a financial advisor August 12th 2024. I am really enjoying the work, learning new things every day and applying my skills to help my clients achieve their goals.

With my new job and more flexible schedule I am able to devote more time to volunteering and participating in my community. Aside from Rotary I am committing to volunteering at the bird observatory again and with the South Shore Joint Initiative. I look forward to more opportunities to participate in my community as my career progresses.

Back in 2014 while I was still in the solar industry I met a wonderful woman named Candace, we began dating and eventually moved in together. In the winter of 2019 I proposed to her and she said yes. We then had several pandemic induced delays to our wedding before we were able to tie the knot on September 1st 2021. We live together with our dog and some chickens just outside of Picton, conveniently close to Parson's Brewery and the Millenium Trail.

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Darren Goldstein, Secretary

Darren has been an active corporate finance professional in Canada’s technology sector over the past 25 years. Over two decades at TELUS, he led major growth initiatives, overseeing transactions across digital health, smart home tech, and digital agriculture. A CPA, CA, and CFA, Darren started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers first in the financial assurance group and then helping clients raise capital and pursue their strategic objectives.

Beyond the corporate world, Darren is passionate about mentorship, community impact, and environmental conservation. He has led professional development programs, launched the Corporate Finance stream at TELUS for CPA candidates, championed diversity and inclusion in the workplace and was recognized for his leadership in TELUS’s community initiatives.

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Luke Ridgway

Luke is currently the Conservation Manager at The Ontario Conservation Accelerator (OCA). He has professional experience in public, private, and non-profit sectors. With an educational background in GIS, remote sensing, and restoration ecology, Luke has held positions related to environmental regulation and policy, private consulting with indigenous communities, and most recently, served as The Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Large Landscape Program Coordinator before joining the OCA. He also served on the board of directors of the Wild Bird Trust of BC and owns a canoe rental business in Peterborough, where he remains active in the sustainable outdoor tourism space. As an avid camper, Luke spends as much time as he can in the field both to study and appreciate the natural environment and help others connect with the outdoors.

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